Hi-Fi specialist McIntosh has announced two new per-amps, the D1100 digital preamplifier and MP1100 phono preamplifier. The D1100 includes the company’s most advanced DAC to date, along with nine digital inputs, while the MP1100 features 24-bit digital outputs to enable recording from vinyl sources. They will retail for £8,995 and £9995 respectively.

The D1100’s eight-channel, 32-bit DAC is used in Quad Balanced mode while digital inputs include three optical, three coaxial, plus MCT, AES/EBU and USB inputs, the latter accepting up to 32-bit/384kHz signals and supporting DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DXD 352.8kHz and DXD 384kHz playback; all other inputs accept up to 24-bit/192kHz. Three pairs of balanced and unbalanced stereo outputs are also provided.

Its four data ports and four power control triggers are fully programmable, plus it has both IR and RS232 external control.

While the D1100 can be used independently of any other preamplifier, it can also be used in tandem with its analogue equivalent, the C1100 vacuum tube preamplifier. When connected, the C1100 takes over all control of the D1100, giving users a single interface.

The MP1100 (pictured above) is McIntosh’s first fully balanced vacuum tube phono stage. It utilises four 12AX7A vacuum tubes, with two tubes per channel in a fully balanced configuration. Connections include three sets of RCA phono inputs, with one set of XLR connectors. All phono inputs allow for adjustment of both resistance (six settings) and capacitance (eight settings). For ease of use, the preamp comes pre-programmed with profiles for Moving Coil and Moving Magnet cartridges as well as McIntosh’s MT10 and MT5 turntables.

RIAA, LP, NAB, AES and 78 analogue equalisation curves are also available, plus two useful built-in analogue filters: a Rumble Filter and a Scratch Filter. Adjustable gain from 40dB to 64dB allows for further customisation, while a mono setting enables proper playback of mono recordings. In addition, there’s a pair of balanced and unbalanced high-level inputs for connecting other sources, and a pair of balanced and unbalanced fixed outputs complete the connections.

The MP1100 also has an optical, coaxial and USB output. These are fixed at 24-bit and can be set to either 96kHz or 192kHz. When used with a properly configured conversion program, the USB output can be used to accurately rip vinyl. The MP1100 is a dual-mono design and can be paired with any preamplifier, integrated anmp or AVR that includes a volume control. Distribution is via Jordan Acoustics.